Rivers State governor and former presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that he would keep his promise by supporting the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Wike had on Saturday, shortly before voting commenced at the special national convention of the PDP to elect the party’s presidential standard bearer, promised to support anyone that emerged victorious from among the aspirants.
The former Vice-President, Atiku, won the presidential primary election with 371 votes to beat his closest challenger, Governor Wike, who polled 237 votes.
Subsequently,
Atiku Abubakar, has met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Monday’s meeting was held at Wike’s residence in Abuja, hours after Atiku beat him to the party’s presidential ticket.
“In continuation of my commitment to bring everyone on board in ensuring that the @OfficialPDPNig stands as one united party, earlier today, I visited His Excellency Gov Nyseom Wike at his Abuja residence,” Atiku tweeted. “This is a continuous process.”
The meeting also had several PDP chieftains in attendance including a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, who was one of the contenders in the election held on Saturday.
Atiku, 75, scored 371 votes to see off Wike, who polled 237 votes. A former Senate President and Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki, had 70 votes.
Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom (38), Bala Mohammed of Bauchi (38), a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim (14), Mrs Tari Diana Oliver (1), and Sam Ohuabunwa (1) shared the rest of the votes.
Hours later, Governor Wike, apparently in reaction to Atiku’s visit, in a tweet, said the PDP cannot be abandoned, hence he will fully support the former vice president as promised.
“I made a vow to the Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria that I will support whoever emerges from the #PDPPresidentialPrimaries and I am not going to go back on my word.
“We cannot abandon the @OfficialPDPNig. We will be fully supporting H.E @atiku”, the tweet read.
